Temporal changes and educational disparities in the frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among Estonian adults during 2006–2022

Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) contributes to adverse health outcomes but is differentiated by socio-economic indicators. The study analyses the educational disparities in adults frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Estonia and its temporal changes between 2006 and 2022. Repeated cross-sectional survey. Nationally representative data from 9 biennial cross-sectional surveys on 25–64-year-old Estonian residents (n = 20396) was used for the study. Changes in frequent (on 6–7 days per week) consumption of SSBs by study year, sex, age, and education is analysed using descriptive statistics and binomial logistic regression. Prevalence and odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) are presented focusing on temporal and educational patterns in frequent SSB consumption. The prevalence of frequent SSB consumption among Estonian adults declined consistently from 2006 (14.0 %) to 2018 (5.2 %), followed by statistically non-significant increases in 2020 (6.8 %) and 2022 (7.1 %). Prevalence of frequent SSB consumption was significantly (p < 0.01) higher among adults with primary or lower education (12.4 %) compared to tertiary education group (4.8 %). The educational differences in SSB consumption (12.4 % in primary or lower vs. 4.8 % in tertiary education) were nearly three-fold after adjusting for sex, age, and period effects (OR 2.84, 95 % CI 1.71–4.74) and have been consistent since 2010. Although frequent consumption of SSBs has been generally decreasing among Estonian adults, the findings illustrate the persisting educational gradients in exposure that expectedly translates into socio-economic inequalities in adverse health outcomes resulting from excessive SSB consumption.